"Uh, we have to what?"

Daisy Parker was many things; she was a talented musician, a rising star, and someone who felt a constant push and pull between her dreams and the reality of her career. But she wasn't a nerd, she wasn't someone who liked going to school. Sitting in her manager's office, the weight of his expectations bore down on her shoulders. Her father and CEO of the record label she and her friends were signed to, Anders Parker, sat behind the desk in front of her and her friends, regarded her with a steely gaze.

"You heard me, Daisy," He said, his tone brooking no argument. "You, Aspen, and Constance will be going to high school."

The room is quiet for a moment as Daisy, Aspen, and Connie process what their manager had just told them. Daisy stared at him in disbelief, Aspen looked annoyed and Connie was clearly excited but she tried to hide it. They had never expected their manager to tell them this. It was the last thing they thought he'd ever suggest. Going to high school? Why would they do that?

"I know what you're thinking," Anders begins, cutting off Daisy's train of thought. "But trust me, this will be good for you. You'll get to experience a more normal life, and you'll be able to gain some valuable experiences. Not to mention, it'll be good for your image."

"How? Don't we have a tour coming up? We can't exactly go on a tour if we're in school." Aspen pointed out, her voice taking on a hard edge. She wasn't going to back down without a fight. She had worked hard to get where she was, and she wasn't about to let anything stand in her way.

Anders sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "I understand that, Aspen. But the tour has been pushed back until you graduate and the label feels that this is a great opportunity for you all. You three haven't finished your senior year because of your music careers and you aren't doing online schooling which is a problem. Look, I get it. You're all incredibly talented, and that's why you're where you are," He continues, his tone softening slightly. "But there's more to life than just music. High school will give you a chance to connect with your peers, experience things outside of the industry bubble, and maybe even find some inspiration for your music. Plus, it'll be a chance to show the world that you're not just performers — you're real people too. And having a high school diploma is important as well. So, I want you all to give this a try, alright? We've already got you enrolled in a local school and your classes start on Monday. I expect you all to make the best of this and enjoy your time in high school."

Daisy, Connie, and Aspen all look at each other in stunned silence, processing the bombshell that had just been dropped on them. Their manager had just told them that they were going to be attending high school. They were left grappling with the enormity of the change. Daisy was especially overwhelmed; high school was something she had left behind, a part of her past she had no intention of revisiting. Aspen's brow was furrowed in frustration, while Connie's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Aspen broke the silence, her voice tinged with disbelief. "So, we're supposed to just drop everything and go back to high school? What about the album we've been working on? And what about our fans who've been waiting for the tour?"

Anders looks at her, his expression firm but understanding. "The album will be completed once you're settled in. And as for the tour, it's been rescheduled to ensure you can all finish school. The label believes that this is a crucial step in building your brand and image as a band, and I agree. High school will give you a fresh perspective on the world, and it will allow you to connect with your peers on a different level. Plus, it will help show the public that you are more than just pretty faces and perfect voices. You are human, too, and you have interests and passions beyond music. I know it seems like a lot right now, but I believe this will be a positive experience for all of you. Besides, who knows? You may even make some new friends while you are there."

Daisy could see the logic behind his argument, but she was still hesitant. High school was the last place she wanted to be, especially after all the drama she had experienced growing up. She knew her friends had their own reservations as well, and she didn't want to force them into something they weren't comfortable with. "Look, dad, we appreciate what you're saying, but I don't know if going to school is the right move for us." She says, keeping her tone even. "We're busy enough as it is with our music, and we don't need the added stress of school on top of everything else. And what about Paxton? Why isn't he here for this meeting? He's a part of the band too, dad."

Paxton was their DJ and a close friend of theirs. He had joined their band at the beginning of their rise to fame, and he had helped them grow as musicians and performers. His unique sound had given their music a fresh new feel, and his talent and energy on stage was unmatched. He not only was their DJ but he also helped with writing songs sometimes and did back up vocals when needed. He was an essential part of their team and deserved to be at this meeting.

"Oh, believe me, he's not happy about this either." Anders says, rolling his eyes. "But I have already talked to him about this and he would only agree if you three went along with this."

Aspen lets out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "This is ridiculous! Why can't we just go on tour and focus on our music? Keep doing what we're doing. We don't need high school to be successful."

Anders fixes Aspen with a stern look, his voice taking on a slightly harder edge. "I know this is not what you want to hear, but the label has made their decision. You are going to attend school, and you will graduate with your peers. This is not a negotiation, and it is not up for discussion. As your manager and your father," He adds, glancing at Daisy with a pointed look, "I am asking you to give this a try and see what happens. If it doesn't work out, then we can revisit the issue. But for now, you are going to high school. That's final."

"You all are seventeen, you should be finishing your senior year. You should be going out and living a normal life. You've missed out on so much because of your careers, and this is a chance for you to experience things you might have missed. Like I said, you'll still be able to focus on your career while going to school...Just not as much. Like no big concerts at night, especially before a school night, and no late nights in the studio. You'll be allowed to do some smaller events and you can continue working on music, just not as much as you would usually. The label has already found a school for you to attend and has pulled some strings to get you in. Daisy, I understand your concerns, but this is something that has to happen. This is non-negotiable. You start next week." He firmly ended the conversation, dismissing the girls from his office. "

Daisy, Aspen, and Connie exchange looks, the tension in the air palpable. The girls look at each other, the silent conversation flowing between them. Aspen still looks skeptical, arms crossed defensively, while Connie's expression hints at curiosity, perhaps intrigued by the prospect of a more ordinary existence, even if temporary. Daisy takes a deep breath, trying to swallow down her anxiety. She's always hated having her life controlled by others, but this time there's no escape. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, she knows her father is right. There's no arguing with him, and deep down, she knows that going to school is the right choice, for all of them. It'll give them a chance to connect with their peers and gain a new perspective on life. And to finish high school and get their diploma.

"Fine," Daisy says, her voice betraying none of the conflicting emotions swirling inside her. "We'll do it. But don't expect us to be happy about it."

Anders' expression softens slightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I know it's not what you wanted, Daisy. But this will be good for you and your friends. Trust me."

Daisy forces a smile in return, the weight of his words settling over her. She knows he means well, but she can't help but wonder if they're making the right decision. "I hope so, dad. I really do."

The rest of the day was a blur. Daisy had tried to focus on her rehearsals with her bandmates, but her mind was elsewhere. The thought of attending school again made her anxious. She knew she would have to deal with the same cliques, drama, and rumors as before, and the thought was exhausting. On top of all that she would have to deal with the typical musician life she was dealing with now. She was stressed and worried and she didn't know how to handle it all.

"Daisy? Are you okay?" Aspen's voice snaps Daisy out of her thought, causing her to blink a few times as she returns to reality. Daisy realizes they were in the studio, singing a song one last time before it's mixed. "You missed your cue."

"Sorry, I just...I'm a little distracted." Daisy apologizes, running a hand through her hair. "It's a lot to process."

"We'll go for a five minute break." The producer told them, getting up from his seat and exiting the room.

"Thank God." Aspen sighs with relief, walking out of the recording booth. Daisy follows her with Connie into the studio and the three girls sit on the couch. "Listen, D, I'm not exactly thrilled about this either," She mutters, crossing her arms. "But we don't really have a choice. We just have to deal with this like everything else we've dealt with before."

"I think it might be good for us. And maybe a little fun." Connie chimes in, smiling a little as her eyes lit up. "We'll finally get to hang out with people our age. No more having to interact with stuffy old businessmen or pretentious pop stars or obnoxious and invasive paparazzi. We can be just regular teenagers. We'll be able to learn more and see things from a new perspective."

Aspen rolls her eyes, letting out a scoff. "Speak for yourself. You're the only one here who's actually looking forward to this. The rest of us would rather be anywhere but there."

"Aw, come on, Aspy. Give it a chance. You might actually end up enjoying yourself." Connie teases, nudging her friend's arm playfully. "Besides, I think it's pretty exciting. We're going to a new school, starting a new chapter in our lives. It's kind of a big deal."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Speaking of paparazzi, it probably won't take them long before they find out we're going to that high school. You know how nosy and gossip-driven they are. They'll probably swarm the school, trying to get information about us. It's gonna be a mess." Aspen grumbles. "We'll never get a break just like now. But even worse since we'll have homework and tests to deal with too."

Daisy sighs, closing her eyes. "Yeah, I know. But there's not much we can do. We just have to make the best of it. At least we'll be together, right?"

"And we'll eventually get a high school diploma." Connie points out. "That's a positive. We'll finally be done with high school and can continue on with our growing music career." She grinned.

"Yeah, we'll do our best." Aspen mutters, her expression softening a little. "We'll always have each other, right? And that's what matters."

Daisy and Connie smile, nodding in agreement. "Always." They both say at the same time and the three girls smile at each other before they do their secret handshake they've had since they were kids.

The three girls have been best friends and practically sisters since they were little kids. They've known each other their whole lives. Their parents were best friends and even lived right next to each other. Daisy and Aspen lived right by each other while Connie lived across the street from Daisy. Their families would often have dinner and game nights together and the girls would spend hours playing together. Since they were little, the girls dreamt of becoming famous singers and they would sing and dance in the basement of their houses. They would make up songs and dances and preform them at holiday gatherings and other special events. No one in their families were surprised they were making it big, they've always been talented and were always supportive of them and their dreams.

Daisy, Aspen, and Connie were an unusual trio, with completely different personalities and styles, yet somehow they fit together perfectly. Daisy was the leader of the group, a driven and determined singer who loved music more than anything. She always had a creative spark in her, and her love for music shone through in her songs and performances. But despite her passion for her craft, she often found herself struggling with anxiety, worrying about pleasing everyone and trying to live up to impossible standards. She was a great front-woman for the band, but her personal struggles often kept her from truly shining. She could be stubborn and sassy and surprisingly sarcastic at times, but she always had a good heart and cared deeply about her friends.

Aspen was the rebel of the group, a no-nonsense performer who didn't take anyone's crap. She was passionate about her music and wasn't afraid to speak her mind, but she was also fiercely protective of her friends, always standing up for them when they were being picked on. Aspen's tough exterior hid a sensitive heart, though, and she cared deeply about her loved ones even if she had trouble showing it sometimes. She also had a mischievous streak and could be quite the prankster when the mood struck her. Sarcasm was her defense mechanism, and she often used it to hide her true feelings or she would use that and even humor to diffuse awkward or tense situations. She didn't always do well with expressing her feelings, often bottling them up and dealing with her problems on her own since she doesn't want to be a burden. She also has a bit of a temper and a short fuse at times, which can cause issues, but she tries to work on that. She can be very loyal and loving and she always has the best intentions in her heart. She's a true ride or die friend and the kind of person you could count on no matter what. She also has a creative and artistic side and loves fashion and design.

Connie, on the other hand, was the peacekeeper of the group, with a gentle and empathetic nature that endeared her to everyone. She was the glue that held their friendship together, always offering a listening ear and wise advice. She had a knack for bringing out the best in others and was the calming presence during their hectic lives in the music industry. Despite her reserved demeanor, Connie had a quiet determination and inner strength that belied her gentle appearance. She was very intelligent and clever, but was also very shy and tended to be a bit of a wallflower, though she could be surprisingly bold and confident when necessary. Especially on stage. On stage she was like a different person, she felt more confident and in control. But offstage, she preferred to fade into the background, letting her friends take center stage. She doesn't mind being the center of attention, but she prefers to stay behind the scenes. She's the sweet, sensitive, nerdy, awkward and a bit clumsy one. She can be a bit indecisive and a little naïve at times, but her kind heart and her willingness to see the best in people make her a valuable member of their team.

Even though they have different personalities and styles, they work well together and are always there for each other. They've been through a lot together, both in their musical careers and as friends. They've had their fair share of ups and downs, but they've always managed to pull through and support each other. They're more than just friends — they're family. And no matter what happens, they'll always have each other's backs. 

A/N intro of the girls (& a little preview of paxton) is done yay <3